C.H.U.D. – Panik in Manhattan (1984)

C.H.U.D. – Panik in Manhattan: Directed by Douglas Cheek. With John Heard, Daniel Stern, Christopher Curry, Kim Greist. A bizarre series of sudden disappearances on the streets of New York City seems to point toward something unsavory living in the sewers.

“u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; was the very first horror movie I ever saw and I dare say it is the reason why I am into horror movies the day today. I remember seeing u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; back in the mid-80u0026#39;s, when I was about 10 years old or so, on VHS at my friendu0026#39;s place. And I remember, still to the day today, the creepy fingers and the glowing eyes of the C.H.U.D.s. Yeah, this movie really stuck with me.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI had the fortunate luck to revisit u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; again, now 25 years later give or take, and it was a sweet trip down memory lane. First of all, because I was able to remember things from the movie from way back then, and to see how much impact this movie actually had in my future choice of movie genre and preferences.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story told in u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; is easy to follow and have some good elements to it. There are strange disappearances and murders happening in New York and the police is without a clue. Then some locals take an interest in the events and venture underneath the city, where they stumble upon government secrets and mutation beings.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow, looking back to when the movie was made, I would say that the creature effects were actually quite good. Of course, with todays standard they are primitive and out of date. But I remember them being seriously scary back in the mid-80u0026#39;s. Actually, my friend and me were somewhat scared of getting too close to manhole covers a couple of days after seeing the movie. Haha…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe music score in the movie bears typical tones of 80u0026#39;s horror music. It is symphonic in a way and always leading up to the scares. And it does work well. Without such music, movies would be less interesting.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI was actually surprised to see the faces of some of the cast in the movie, now that I am older and more wise in the history of cinema and movies. John Goodman and Jay Thomas were actually in this movie, as cops visiting a diner. Patricia Richardson (from u0026quot;Home Improvementu0026quot;) was actually in the movie as well. Plus, the lead roles were played by John Heard and Daniel Stern, all names that sit well with me today. So the cast list was actually quite good.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI liked u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; back then and I still like it. Of course it is not all that scary by todayu0026#39;s standards, but still it is a good horror movie in itself. Plus, it has a special place in my memory, as it lead me down the path of horror and scary movies. If you havenu0026#39;t seen u0026quot;C.H.U.D.u0026quot; yet, do yourself the favor and get your hands (or claws) on the DVD and see this wonderful 80u0026#39;s horror gem.”